Hopes of sending a Singaporean into space may become reality sooner than one might expect - on National Day in 2015.
That is, if all goes according to plan following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed yesterday between home-grown high-tech start-up In.Genius, the Singapore Space and Technology Association (SSTA) and the Science Centre Board.
The MOU, signed at the Global Space Technology Conference, aims to develop a space-sciences education programme and send the first Singaporean into space.
At the event held at the Sheraton Towers Singapore hotel, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S. Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry, announced that the Government has established the Office for Space Technology and Industry.
The office's mandate is to oversee the development of Singapore's space industry.
But in the immediate to short term, it will work with industry stakeholders to realise their satellite and innovation initiatives from Singapore.
The founder of In.Genius, local entrepreneur Marvyn Lim Seng, said that Singapore's first space flight will put the country on the "world map".
It will do so by "achieving safe, affordable space flight, attracting global tourists and high-net-worth individuals".
Mr Lim believes that the endeavour to send a Singapore citizen into space will help to create new high-tech jobs and space-sciences initiatives in Singapore schools.
He added that the project is not a "one-off" event, but part of a larger series of flight testing for a six-person space vehicle for commercial space tourism.
In.Genius revealed that it is in talks with government agencies to facilitate planning for the project, and is seeking cooperation with local universities on flight planning, aerodynamics analysis and testing.
My Paper understands that Nanyang Technological University's (NTU's) School of Mechanical Aerospace Engineering has agreed to collaborate and conduct wind-tunnel testing to assess aerodynamic performance for the project.
NTU assistant professor Daniel New said "this research collaboration will also serve as a learning platform for our students".
Mr Jonathan Hung, president of the SSTA, said: "Space is the next frontier. We need local entrepreneurs to push the envelope."
That is, if all goes according to plan following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed yesterday between home-grown high-tech start-up In.Genius, the Singapore Space and Technology Association (SSTA) and the Science Centre Board.
The MOU, signed at the Global Space Technology Conference, aims to develop a space-sciences education programme and send the first Singaporean into space.
At the event held at the Sheraton Towers Singapore hotel, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S. Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry, announced that the Government has established the Office for Space Technology and Industry.
The office's mandate is to oversee the development of Singapore's space industry.
But in the immediate to short term, it will work with industry stakeholders to realise their satellite and innovation initiatives from Singapore.
The founder of In.Genius, local entrepreneur Marvyn Lim Seng, said that Singapore's first space flight will put the country on the "world map".
It will do so by "achieving safe, affordable space flight, attracting global tourists and high-net-worth individuals".
Mr Lim believes that the endeavour to send a Singapore citizen into space will help to create new high-tech jobs and space-sciences initiatives in Singapore schools.
He added that the project is not a "one-off" event, but part of a larger series of flight testing for a six-person space vehicle for commercial space tourism.
In.Genius revealed that it is in talks with government agencies to facilitate planning for the project, and is seeking cooperation with local universities on flight planning, aerodynamics analysis and testing.
My Paper understands that Nanyang Technological University's (NTU's) School of Mechanical Aerospace Engineering has agreed to collaborate and conduct wind-tunnel testing to assess aerodynamic performance for the project.
NTU assistant professor Daniel New said "this research collaboration will also serve as a learning platform for our students".
Mr Jonathan Hung, president of the SSTA, said: "Space is the next frontier. We need local entrepreneurs to push the envelope."
